Here it is, perhaps the most highly anticipated Samsung phone ever — because, frankly, it’s the first one the tech giant is unveiling since the Note 7 situation. You know, the one that had to be recalled — twice — the second time permanently, because of overheating battery issues? This is the Galaxy S8 and S8+. They have curved, near bezel-less, more vivid displays.
"The entire front of the phone is pure, pristine glass," said Samsung spokesman Justin Denison.
Are water and dust resistant, allow unlocking via facial recognition, have batteries that’ve gone through a new eight point safety check, but the new feature that Samsung says is what sets it apart — Bixby.
Unlike other mobile, personal assistants that mainly spit back information, Samsung insists Bixby allows you to do anything with voice that you can do with touch. Plus, you can do things like point the phone at landmarks, books, wine, anything to pull up more information.
So, enough here to make the Note 7 but a distant memory?
"I think Samsung has a lot of fans and in spite of the fact that they had some issues with the battery, some really terrible issues, I think the fans are going to stick with them," said Jeremy Kaplan with DigitalTrends.com. "What they need to do is release a phone that is really fantastic anyway and I think the S8 is it. It’s really fantastic to look at and it has some neat new features that they haven’t unveiled before so there is a lot to love about this new phone."
Galaxy S8s hit shelves April 21, price has not yet been announced.